Kaman appears to be odd man out with Lakers

NEW YORK – Chris Kaman did not get off the bench for the fourth straight game Wednesday in Brooklyn. And while the first couple could be attributed to back pain that also forced him out of practices, Kaman is now healthy and, it appears, the odd man out in Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni’s rotation.

Kaman, who is signed for $3.2 million, was expected to fill a primary role in the frontcourt and, in three games this season, started next to Pau Gasol.

“It’s been tough,” Kaman said. “I came here for a reason, and I want to have the opportunity to fulfill that, but I can’t control that or not, I just got to try to get back in a little bit better shape.”

Kaman has appeared in 12 games, averaging 8.3 points and 5.3 rebounds.

Without revealing details, Kaman said he “was told certain things” about what his role would be. Kaman, who is known for being candid, was careful with his words, and rather than leveling criticism at D’Antoni, praised Jordan Hill, who has leapfrogged Kaman in the rotation.

“I don’t know if anybody anticipated Jordan having the season that he’s had so far,” Kaman said, “so I think the expectations were a little bit different for him and myself.”

Neither Hill nor Kaman fits D’Antoni’s desire for a “stretch” power forward. However, Hill has asserted himself as, perhaps, the key to the Lakers best units, averaging 10.3 points and 8.7 rebounds per game.

Asked about Kaman, D’Antoni said, “We have a certain rotation and certain guys are not going to find a whole lot of minutes and that makes it tough to get everybody in there.”

GASOL FOR TWO

Growing up in Spain, Gasol idolized Croatian NBA star Toni Kukoc. Gasol admired the way he used his length to excel on the perimeter but wasn’t pushed around.

Gasol long ago exceeded the career cachet of Kukoc, who retired in 2006 after scoring 9,810 career points. On Wednesday, Gasol took another step up the list of all-time great foreign players, moving past Detlef Schrempf to become the second-highest scoring European player in NBA history.

Gasol entered the night needing 10 points to pass Schrempf and finished with 21 to give him 15,773. However, Gasol acknowledged he probably wouldn’t be moving up to No. 1. After Wednesday, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki has 25,383 career points.

“I don’t think that would be possible,” Gasol said. “Dirk is a natural scorer. Hopefully, I’ll continue to play a few years at a high level, and I’ll continue to move up all those numbers.”

ALL BLACK

The Lakers made a splash with the debut of their “Hollywood Nights” all black uniforms.

In the locker room, and judging by fan reaction, they were a hit. With one caveat from Nick Young.

“I’m shocked we’re wearing them without Kobe,” Young said.

And while the Black Mamba will have to wait to don the look, that didn’t stop Young from saying he intended to take his shorts home, rather than leave them with the Lakers’ equipment staff.

This won’t be the last time the Lakers sport a new look. On Christmas Day, they will be among 10 teams to sport the sleeved, torso-hugging “big logo” uniforms, which worries Kaman, who unlike other players supports a more common man physique. “That,” he said jokingly, “is not going to be my friend.”

YOUNG HURT

Young suffered a fourth quarter injury, spraining the proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint in his left ring finger. X-rays were normal. He will be required to wear a splint if he plays Friday in Detroit.